There comes an inflection point with every actor as their career ascends, where industry buzz coalesces into tangible public recognition. For Charlie Hunnam, that moment arrived with Sonny on “Sons of Anarchy.” He became instantly recognized on the streets – motorcycles became mandatory for interviews to maintain character – and fans clamoring for his autograph suddenly outmatched even the most hardcore motorcycle club member.
And yet, while legions adore his gruffly charming portrayal of troubled biker heroes, there’s another part of Hunnam that remains deeply embedded in him: a surprising passion for the cerebral brilliance of independent filmmaking icon Paul Thomas Anderson rather than, well… Martin Scorsese. Conversations with friends and industry colleagues invariably reveal this quirk about him: when he launches into passionate appraisals of “Boogie Nights” or “The Master,” metathingory swirling from his lips like the desert winds mentioned in a David Foster Wallace novel, the usual reactions fall more akin to confused squinty stares than enthusiastic validation. It’s become a bit of an in-joke.
Is this due a lackluster understanding of Scorsese amongst Hunnam’s fanbase, built largely on “Sons”? Perhaps younger fans haven’t had exposure to his catalog yet, focusing their cinematic attentions firmly with the recent onslaught of Marvel blockbusters and prestige television series. The age difference between “Sons” fans and that of those dedicated to the nuanced, sometimes challenging world of Scorsese might simply lead the two audiences not having much crossover.
Or could it be that Hunnam truly feels he’d connect better on a deeply passionate level with PTA’s films? Maybe Hunnam, the selfproclaimed motorcycle enthusiast and history buff drawn more towards gritty character studies that resonate in the depths of his soul rather than Scorsese’s visceral mob epics, finds Anderson’s approach closer to personal experiences; stories about yearning, belonging, grappling with identity in a messy world that are ultimately human instead cinematic spectacle.
After all hasn’t “OnceUponATimeInHollywood,” become almost an antithesis to everything he’s known and cherished professionally? That movie was the culmination of decades-in-the-making admiration for one specific era of Hollywood – something he probably gravitated from, not sought out consciously. Whatever the underlying reasoning, this fascination with Anderson – especially in a world seemingly more focused on what they’d call “highbrow popcorn film”, where big names and blockbuster plots reign – adds a touch of charming eccentricity to Hunnam’s otherwise successful celebrity trajectory. There are moments when one imagines him in film school dorm rooms, dissecting “PunchDrunkLove,” just as readily accepting “Casino” on a casual Friday.
A deeper introspection into cinema’s vast tapestry is perhaps exactly what this self-effacing action hunk prefers to offer the more thoughtful admirer who goes beyond surface appearances and desires something more substantial in their entertainment experience. Maybe, just maybe – that hidden connection with his film obsessions will finally resonate with a wider audience as Hollywood evolves towards accepting nuanced brilliance over unbridled spectacle alone.